South Pasadena : Fee Hikes for Services Approved

Major fee hikes, some up to 300%, have been approved for city services.

The most dramatic increases unanimously approved by the City Council Wednesday were for Planning Department fees. For example, the cost of an application for a variance from city building and zoning codes jumped from $200 to $750. Planning Director William Campbell said the former fee was ridiculously low, calling it the “crime of the century.”

Increases in the fees, ranging from paramedic services to animal licenses to sewer connections, took effect immediately.

The council debated only one proposed increase, the boosting of after-school recreation services from $5 to $6 per child per day. Councilman Harry Knapp said the extra dollar per day might be a hardship on some residents. The council decided to postpone a vote on that fee pending further study.